Public Service Workers May Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness

St. Paul, MN - Information is now readily available to help Minnesotans working in public service determine if they qualify for student loan forgiveness.

As a result of legislation signed into law last year by Governor Dayton, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) has developed and posted materials on their website about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Information is included both for public service workers and their employers.

"Minnesota college graduates carry some of the highest debt loads in the country - with the median debt topping $27,000," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. "I encourage all Minnesota college graduates working in government, serving in the military, or working for a nonprofit to contact the Office of Higher Education about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. No one should be deterred from a career in public service because they cannot afford it."

PSLF is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, public service workers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on their William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans after they have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full-time by certain public service employers.

"Each and every day, our lives are impacted by the work done by public service employees, from public health and education personnel, to military service and public safety officers," said Commissioner Larry Pogemiller, Office of Higher Education. "By bringing awareness to this opportunity, we hope more public workers will benefit by having a portion of their student loans forgiven."

For more information on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, contact Sandy Connolly at 651-259-3902, or by email at sandy.connolly@state.mn.us.